Elvin Hutchison, Pro Football Player, BHS Coach

Elvin Clarence Hutchison was born October 14, 1912, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. He graduated from Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Iowa and went on to Whittier College, where he was known as the "Red Oak Express" on the football team before graduating in 1937. Elvin was inducted into the Whittier College Athletic Hall of Fame. Hutchison later earned a Master's in Education from the University of Southern California in 1948.

Following his collegiate football career, Hutchison played professionally as a halfback for the Detroit Lions in 1939, and as a wingback for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Professional Football League from 1939 to 1946. He coached football at Burbank High School in 1947.
Hutchison officiated in the NFL from 1952 through 1959, and in the American Football League for its entire existence, from 1960 through 1969.
In 1959, Hutchison was named principal of Kaiser Junior High School in Costa Mesa, California.

Hutchison married Lois Evelyn Walters in May 1943.
Elvin Hutchison died on May 24, 2001. He is buried in the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.

Former player has football in his blood - Costa Mesan spent 20 years in NFL
The Orange County Register - Thursday, October 15, 1992 Author: Bob Buttitta ; The Orange County Register

Elvin Hutchison 's professional football career started in an era when helmets had no face masks and athletes played offense AND defense. By the time he was through, football stadiums were covered with domes and artificial turf was common. Hutchison , who turned 80 Wednesday, spent 20 years as a National Football League player and game official. "I saw an awful lot of changes," said Hutchison , a Costa Mesa resident known as "The Red Oak Express" in his playing days. "I feel very fortunate to have been able to be involved in pro football. "The game today is far different than when I played. Whether it's better or not, I'm not sure."

Hutchison 's pro career started in 1938 with the Los Angeles Bulldogs, in an earlier American Football League, which served as a springboard to the NFL. "We had a lot of guys just out of college who were looking to get a chance and we had guys who had been in the NFL and were looking to get back," said Hutchison , a former 5-foot-11, 195-pound
back. "I had just graduated from Whittier College and still wanted to play football. "Playing semi-pro football gave me that opportunity. It was a lot of fun and the caliber of play was pretty good."

In 1939, Elmer "Gus" Henderson, Hutchison 's coach with the Bulldogs, went to the Detroit Lions. He brought several players to Detroit, including Hutchison , then 26. The Lions, after a fast start, closed at 6-5. "Detroit was a great place to play," Hutchison said. "We used the old single-wing formation. I did some running and some passing. "Getting the chance to play against guys like Whizzer White was a thrill. I only made about $100 a game, but none of us played for the money. We played for the love of the game." When the seasons were over, Hutchison returned to Seal Beach, where he taught elementary school.

"I was lucky, the principal allowed me to miss the first half of the school year," he said. "I'd return in January and start teaching." After the 1941 season, Hutchison joined the Navy. Although military service ended his NFL career, Hutchison said he never regretted being part of the war effort.

He rejoined the Bulldogs of the old Pacific Coast Football League for the 1946 season and was with the Hollywood Bears in '48. He taught school during the week and played on weekends. When he could no longer play, Hutchison became a referee, starting on the high school and college levels. In 1953, he was hired as a head linesman by the NFL. He worked NFL games for seven years until moving to the new American Football League in 1960.

"I worked the first games ever in the Astrodome, San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium and Denver's Mile High Stadium," Hutchison said. "Being a referee is a tough job, but it was a lot of fun. I got to see a lot of the country and watch some great players."

One of Hutchison 's most memorable encounters involved George Halas of the Chicago Bears. Hutchison made a call against the Bears that Halas didn't like. As Hutchison took his place on the sideline, Halas started yelling. "He started to verbally abuse me, so I threw a flag on him for unsportsmanlike conduct," Hutchison said. "We marched it off and Halas yells, `Ref, you stink!' "I marched off another 15 yards, and I looked over to him and said, `How do I smell from here?' He got the point that he had better keep quiet."

Hutchison ended refereeing after the 1970 season; he retired from teaching in 1974. These days, he spends his time golfing, going to the health club and watching football on television. "I see how much these guys are making to play and I kind of wish I was playing now," Hutchison said. "But overall, I look back over the last 80 years and I wouldn't change much. "Other than a divorce, I'm happy with the way things worked out. I've been lucky enough to do two things I loved, play football and teach."